Which to Choose: Chiropractor or Osteopath?
Keeping your spine healthy is vital to your health and overall quality of life, especially as you age. It’s no wonder many people choose to see a chiropractor. Others choose to see an osteopath. If you’re not sure which one you need to see, we’ll help you make the best decision.
What they do
Chiropractors help treat your pain by adjusting your spine to realign it. The premise of this stems back from 1895 when it was found that correcting problems with the spine helped the body to heal itself. Despite this, chiropractors are not considered medical doctors nor can they prescribe medications. Osteopaths are similar, however they get the distinction of being medically certified. The premise of osteopathic medicine was founded on the philosophy that the body’s systems are all interrelated and depend on each other for optimal health.
Both osteopaths and chiropractors focus on spinal health for your best health. They manipulate your joints and provide relieving massage to muscles and tissues with the goal to stop aches and pains. By doing this, they can address issues with circulation, headaches, or digestion, all by working with your back.
The differences
While they hold many similarities, there are key differences. Among them, chiropractors focus on aligning the spine to relieve pain by stopping pinched nerves. Osteopaths focus on the whole body and structure to treat a wider range of problems.
If you have a chiropractor, they will rely on the results of MRI scans and x-rays to help with their assessments. Osteopaths use their own physical examinations and will refer you to another doctor if they think you need another procedure performed, however, they have more techniques to help your body heal itself in various joints and tissues all over your body. Your chiropractor will focus on adjusting your spine. You’re also more likely to see your chiropractor more often for adjustments while your osteopath will space out your treatments.
Who to choose
Now that you know a bit more about what chiropractors and osteopaths do, you’ll need to consider your problems that you want to address and choose who would be a best match. Think about how complicated the problems are that you’re having. Do they involve your back only? Or do you have problems with other joints and tissues in your body?
If it’s the former, a chiropractor will likely be your best solution. For the latter, an osteopath should be the better fit. You don’t need to waste time waiting in an office for a visit though. You can have either one come to your home which is a much more convenient option to treating your aches and pains and getting things straightened out.
Close up of male osteopath doing manipulative physical treatment on female spine.
